Stock feeding mechanism



Dec. 12, 1933. 1,939,320

H. W. RUPPLE STOCK FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 14, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNE Y.

Dec. 12, H w RUPPLE 1,939,320

STOCK FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 14, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TORv 64mm Lil/Paras ATTORNEY.

Dec. 12, 1933. H. w. RUPPLE STOCK FEEDING MECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 14, 1931 IN V EN TOR 6542M (Pl/A 15 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 12, 1933. H. w. RUPPLE 1,939,320

STOCK FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 14, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 m Illfllll lj u 1 in A TTORNE Y.

1933- H. w. RUPPLE STOCK FEEDING MEGHANI SM 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 14. 1931 m lQ n mw \N \N Sq INVENTOR.

IVA/P1P) W R0015 BY %MW A TTORNEY.

Dec. 12, 1933.

H. W. RUPPLE STOCK FEEDING MECHANI SM Filed Oct. 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 M WI INVENTOR.

Amw MIR/M6 1 LC] BY jzzgww w ATTORNEY.

Dec. 12, 1933. H. w. RUPPLE 1,939,320

STOCK FEEDING MECHANI SM Filed Oct 14, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 I N Wu 56 9 1 N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Dec. 12, 1933.

H. W. RUPPLE STOCK FEEDING MECHANI SM Filed Oct. 14, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 766 I \\W/ I INVENIUR:

Mew (Pl/PP ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 12, 1933 UNITED STATES s'rocx FEEDING. MECHANISM] Harry W. Rupple, Shaker'I-Ie'ights, Ohio, as-

signor to The Cleveland Automatic Machine Company, Cleveland, Ohio a. corporation of I Ohio Application October 14. 1931. Serial No. 568,750

6 Claims. (Cl. 29- 63) The present invention relatesto an automatic metal working machine and more particularly to the stock feeding mechanism thereof or a stock The invention is feeding attachment therefor. particularly applicable to automatic machines either of the single ormultiple position types wherein stock bars are automatically fed through rotatable spindles and operated upon by one or a plurality of tools, but may be applied to other types of machine tools without changing the principle of construction and/ or operation.

An object of the present invention isthe provision of an improved stock feeding device which will be compact, simple and rugged in construc- 15 tion, and reliable in operatiornand which will be capable of feeding various amounts of stock in a limited space of time. I

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved stock feeding device which and which will be disengaged from the stock when not in actual operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention 25 will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the following description of the preferred em bodiment of the invention described with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the 30 spindle end of a single position automatic machine tool showing my improved stock feeding mechanism,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the stock feeding mechanism shown in Fig.1,

' Fig. 3 is a plan view of the stock feeding mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

Fig. 4 is an end view of the stock feeding'mec'hanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2, g

Fig. 5 isa view, with portions in section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3

1 to show the chuck operating mechanism of the spindle end of a multiple position automatic machine tool-provided with a modified construction Fig. 9 is an end view of the stock feeding mechanism shown in Fig. 6,

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the stock feed driving mechanism,

Fig. 11 is a plan view with portionsin section Fig. 6 is a frontview, with portionsbroken away of the valve operating and feed driving mechanism, and

Fig. 12 is a view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 'l. The-preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive which show a specific construction of feed mechanism applied to a-single position automatic machine tool. Figs. 6 to 12 inclusive illustrate a modified construction of the feeding mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive applied to a multiple position automatic machine tool. However, either feeding mechanism shown can be applied to a single or a multiple position machine with slight changes in construction, all of'which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such constructions are contemplated and within the scope of the present invention. V I

e The spindle end only of a single position automatic machine tool is illustrated in Fig. 1 as the machine per se does not forina part of th'e present invention and may be found in a plurality of different embodiments well known in the art. The reference character 10indicates the bed of the machine which carries at the right-hand end thereof a spindle head. 11 in which a spindle 12 is rotatably mounted and driven .by the gears 13 in anywell known manner.

The spindle 12 may be of any ordinary construction. 'The one illustrated is of the type adapted to'have the work blank or stock bar fed by automatic means through the center thereof, and is similar to that shown in United States Patent No. 1,779,529 to J. P. Brophy, issued October 28,1930. The spindle 12 carries at one end a chuck member 14, the jaws of which are in general bythe reference character 15 adjacent the other end of the spindle, in timed relation to the other operations of the machine and the feeding mechanism. The mechanism 15 is operated by a chuck thimble or member 16 slidable longitudinally of'the spindle 12 by a lever 17 pivoted to the bed 10 and provided with pins 18 adapted to engage in a'groove about the periphery of the thimble or member 16. The lever 17 carries a cam roller (not shown) adapted to engage'in the cam track 19 on the cam drum 20 mounted on the main camshaft 21 ofthe machineand driven irom' the main drive in any suitable manner. A hand grasp 22 is provided o'n the lever 17 for manual operation.

The feeding mechanism is supported at the left of the spindle,- as viewed in Fig. 1, on a horn 23 integral with the bed 10, and comprises a'pair of driven rollers 24 and 25 adapted to be moved I adapted to be operated by mechanism, indicated into and out of engagement withthe work to perform the feeding operation. The roller 24 is keyed to a short shaft 26 rotatably mounted in the free ends of a double armed bracket 27. The

bracket 27 is-rotatably mountedon a shaft 28 supported in vertical projections 29, 30 and 310i a bracket 32 bolted or otherwise secured to the horn 23. The bracket 27 is provided with a gear sector 33 formed integral therewith and in mesh with a similar gear sector 34 on a double armed bracket 35, similar in construction to the double armed bracket 27, keyed to a. shaft 36rotatably mounted in the vertical projections .29, 30 and 31 beneath the shaft 28.. The roller 25 is keyed tov a short shaft 37 rotatably carried in the free ends of the bracket 35. have V-shaped faces 38 adapted to engage a circular work piece positioned therebetween, see

Figs.3'an'd4. e 1 7 An arm 39 is keyed to the shaft 36 at the frontof the machine and carries at its freeend -a-weight 40 secured thereto by ,arod 41 and a pin 42=. The construction is such that the weight #40 continuously. urges the shaft 36 in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed invFi'gs l and 2. lvl overnent of theshaft 36 in this direction moves the br'acket 35 keyed thereto to engage the roller -25-with one side:..-of.the. work and through the rearend by a-bracket 45 bolted or otherwise secured to the born 23, and'carries an arm 46 fixed themtdbetween the bracket 45 and the vertical projection31- .of'the bracket 32. jA-bel1-crank lever-47 is pivotally mounted on a pin 48 fixed I to a part49 of the bracket 32 andcarrieson one arm thereof a yoke end50 adapted to engage a roller 51 mounted on 'azpin 52 fixed to the free end-.Iof-the arm 46. The other arm 53 of the bell-crank lever 47 carriesa camroller 54 rotat- -ably mounted v.on. pin. 55 and adapted to engage and be operated bya cam plate 56 on a cam disk 51 carried by. thetcam shaft 21. The left-hand end of the cam. shaft 21, as viewed in Fig. 1, is #rotatably supported in the bracket 45; The rollers -24 -and 25 are. driven in the following manner. -'A gear 59 iskeyed or otherwise fixed on the shaft 26 at the1rear end thereof and is in meshwith a gear 60rotatablymounted in anti-friction bearings 61 on the shaft 28. The gear 60 is in mesh with a gear 63 .keyed on a short sleeve 64 rotat- -ably' mounted independent of and surrounding the shaft 135; in the vertical projections 30 and 31. JA gearisimilar to gear 59 is keyed on the shaft 3-7and. in mesh with gear 63.

- A-bevel gear 65 keyed or otherwise secured'on the sleeve 64 is in mesh with a pinion gear 66 fixed' oni' one end of a short shaft 67. Theshaft 671s rotatably supported in a boss 68 on a bracket 69 bolted or otherwise fixed-to the end of the .horni23, and carries a pulley wheel 70 for driving the same.-.=.Theyrollers 24 and 25 may be driven in; any 'suitablemanner other than that ,illusf trated; either from the cam shaft 21 or the main drive'ifor the machine and may be continuously I or intermittently rotated The feeding mechanism just described may be applied to amultiple position machine by adapting the bracket 32 to The rollers 24 and 25 support a plurality of double armed brackets 27 and 35 and rollers 24 and 25, etc., as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In the modification of the feeding mechanism illustrated in Figs. 6 toj12 inclusive, the feed rollers are engaged and disengaged with the work by fluid pressure actuated means and the device is shown applied to a multiple position machine. The machine, the spindle end of which only is shown in the. drawings, is designated in general by the reference character and is any well known automatic machine of the multiple position type.

A plurality of spindles 76 similar in construction to the spindle 12 previously referred to, are rotatably mounted in a spindle head 77 and driven from the main drive of the machine in any well known manner. The spindles 76 carry at one end .a chuck member 78, the jaws of which are adapted to be operated by mechanisms indicatedflnl general by the reference character '19 which mechanisms. are, in turn, operated by the chuck thimbles or members 80. .slidably mounted 'on the spindles 76. ,The.thimbles or members 80 are provided with a groove 81 adapted tobe engaged bya shoe 82 slid'ably supported 84 is rigidly. secured at one end to the center of on .pinsi83 fixed to the spindle head'fl'l'l. A shaft 7 the shoe 82 and.slidablysuppo-rtedat the other end in the boss 85' on. a bracket 86 secured to the base or horn of the machine75.

Ashaft8'7 supported in a boss 88 on the bracket. 86, and a bracket '89, secured to the spindle head I7 vc'arriesa sleeve or. .split collar 90 adjust- I able thereon. A lever 91 pivotally connected at oneend to thecollar 90 by means of .aj'pin 92 is provided near the middle with an enlarged por- ;tion 93 having an opening 94. through which the shaft 84.p rojects. Apbolt 95 extendsthrough the enlarge'd portion 93 of theleyer 91 and the shaft 84 and'pivotally connects. these parts together. .The lower end of the lever ,91 is provided with .atfinish ed head 96 adaptedto engagewithin a slot 97 One meinber'98 s'lidably mounted on apair .ofrods ;99.supported by the spindle head '77 andthe bracket 86. The member 98 carries a cam roller,l0.0 rotatably mounted on a pin 101 fixed to thelmember 98in any suitable manner.

.Thecamp roller 10D engages in and is operated by a'cam groove 102 on a cam drum 103 fixed to the maincam shaft, 104 of the machine.

Theconstruction is, such that rotation of the cam .drurn. 103,..through the cam groove 102 and the cam roller 100, slides themember 98 along therods- 99 in timed relation to the other operations 'of the machine. The member'98 in turn moves the lever .91 about, the pivot pin 92 and the shaft'84 together with the shoe 82 is moved to operate .the chuck jaws.

Thestock feeding mechanism proper is supported on, the bracket. .86. which 'has two web sections.,108. and 109 projecting therefrom toward the right as viewed'in Fig. 6; -'.The web sections 108 and 109 are provided withbosses 110 .having openings through which, the rods 99 .eX-

tend, and are connected together near their free .ends by reenforcing webslll. The'web sections 108 and 109 are provided" with a plurality of bosses 112 and 113,.respectively, inwhich the shafts 114,115 and 116 are non-rotatablysupported and the shaft, 117 rotatably supported.

A plurality of U+shaped members 120' to 12? l -inclusive, similar in construction, are pivotally members 120 to 127 inclusive about .theshafts of the U-shaped members 120 to 127 inclusive is elongated and projects to the left of the shafts 114 to 117 inclusive, as viewed in Figsjfi. and 7. The elongated legs of the two upper U-sliaped members 120 and 121, and 124 and 125 and the two" lower U-shaped members 122 and 123, and 126 and 127 on the front and rear sides, are connected to the ends of piston rods 134, 135, 136 and 137, respectively, by means of links 118. "The construction is'such that movement of the piston rods 134 to 137 inclusive pivots .the U-shaped 114 to 117 inclusive and moves the feed rollers 131 to engage or disengage work-positioned between the upperand lower. rollers oneachside.

The piston rods'134, 135, 136 and 137 form,

part of fluid pressure motors 138, 139, 140 and 141' respectively, to which fluid pressure is conducted and exhaustedby the pipes 142 and 143 connected to a rotary valve 144. The valve 144 may be of any well known construction which will successively connect the pipes 142 and 143 with the pressure and exhaust means, pressure being supplied to one pipe while the other pipe is connected'to the exhaust, and carries a star wheel 145 adapted to be engaged and operated by cam rollers 146 and 147 mounted on pins 148 and 149 fixed to arms 150 and 151 adjustably mounted on the cam shaft 104, as by the set-' screws 152 and 153.

The construction is such that the piston rods 134, 135, 136 and 137 are operated in opposite directions in timed relation to the other operations of the machine and the periods of engagement or disengagement of the feed rollers 131 with the work may be varied by changing the adjustment of the arms 149 and 150.

The feed rollers 131 are driven through the gears 132 and 133, by the following mechanism. The four gears 133 on either side of the machine are in mesh with each other and the two gears on the shaft 117 are keyed to the shaft. The shaft 117 extends to the rear of the machine and carries a sprocket wheel 160 keyed thereon. A sprocket chain 161 connects the sprocket wheel 160 to a sprocket wheel 162 supported on the hub 163 of a bevel gear 164 and keyed thereto by a key 165. The bevel gear 164 is rotatably mounted on a short shaft 166 fixed to a projection 167 of the bracket 86, and is in mesh with and driven by a bevel gear 168 keyed on the cam shaft 104.

While the modification of the feeding mechanism illustrated in Figs. 6 to 12 inclusive is shown applied to a multiple position machine it can, with slight modification of the structure, be adapted for a single position machine and such a construction is within the scope of the present invention. The feed rollers in either the preferred embodiment or the modification shown may be driven by independent means or from a part of the machine continuously or intermittently as desired.

The operation of the device is as follows: When the work is to be fed forward, the'cam drum 20 operates the lever 17, to move the member 16 the fluid pressure means in the case of the modification disclosed.

The embodiments of the invention described and illustrated are merely the preferred forms,

and I do not intend to be limited to the particu-. lar constructions shown, which may be ,varied' iwithin thescope of this invention, and I particu larly point out and claim as my invention: 1..A machine tool comprisingaframe, a spindle rotatably supported by said frame and adaptedto have work pieces fed throughthe center thereof, a chuck carried by said spindle adapted to engage and disengage the work pieces fed through said spindle, automatic means for oper ating said chuck at predetermined intervals, 2...,

pluralityofshafts supported by said frame at opposite sides of the, axispof said spindle, levers "pivotally supported-by said shafts, a plurality of rollers supported in :the free ends of said levers and movable towards and from the axis of said,

spindle, means for driving a plurality of said rollers, a weight, supported by; said shaft for continuously urging said rollers towards the axis of said spindle, and cam means for moving said rollers in a direction away from the axis of said,

spindle in predetermined timed relation to the operation of said chuck.

2. In a machine tool comprising a frame, a spindle rotatably supported bysaid frame and adapted to have work pieces fed through the center thereof, a chuck carried by said spindl adapted to engage and disengage work pieces fed throughsaid spindle, automatic means for operating said chuck at predetermined intervals, levers pivotally supported by said frame at opposite sides of the axis of said spindle, a plu rality of rollers supported by said levers at one end thereof and movable'towards and from the axis of said spindle, means for driving a plurality of said rollers, a member movable parallel to the axis of said spindle, links pivotally connected to said member and said levers, and automatic means for moving said member in predetermined timed relation to the operation of said chuck.

3. In a machine tool comprising a frame, a

spindle rotatably supported by said frame and adapted to have work fed through the center thereof, a chuck carried by said spindle adapted to engage and disengage said work, automatic means for operating said chuck at predetermined intervals, levers pivotally supported by said frame at opposite sides of the axis of said spindle, a plurality of rollers supported by said levers and movable towards and from the axis of said spindle, means for rotating a plurality of said rollers, a member movable longitudinally of said machine, fluid pressure actuated means for moving said member, links pivotally connected to said member and said levers and means for auto matically. controlling the flow of fluid to said fluid pressure actuated means.

4. In a machine tool, the combination of a work spindle adapted'to have work pieces fed throughthe center thereof, a chuck carried by said spindle adapted to engage and disengage work pieces fed through said spindle, automatic means for operating said chuck, a plurality of rollers radially positioned above the axis of said spindle adapted to engage and disengage work pieces and feed the same through said spindle,

means for driving a plurality of said rollers,

yielding means for continuously urging said rollers towards the axis of said spindle, and automatic means for moving said rollers in a direction away from the axis of said spindle, in predeterii-fin a machine te ol," the combination (if a frame; *a Work spindle 'adapted to have work pleces fed through the center thereof 'rota'tably "sllpiiiol'bed by sald frame,- a' chuck'carrie'dby said spindle adapted-to engage and disengage "work pieces led through said: Spindle, automatic means 'jrer operating; said chuck, Ieverspivctafly supfiorted b'y said'frame' aid jacent'said spindle; means 'i'or 'operati'vel'y connecting 'sa'id levers -whereby 'tiie samemove in Unison about their .pivots,'a7

6.in wfnultiple spindle'machlnetool comprisrin a name, a plurality ofspindles adapted as have work pieces fed through the center thereof 'rotatabl-y' supported by said frame, a chuck carried BY each ofsaid spindles adapted to engage and disengage work pieces fed through said spindles, means for operating said chucks including "a chuck thir'nble; slidably supported on each of saidspindles, 'a member slida.bly supported by saidframe and adapted to engage a plurality of said ehuek spindles, means for-'1 moving said memher, a iuraiity of levers pivotally supported by said frame at opposite sides of the axis of each of said spindles, a plurality of rollers supported by said levers at one end thereof and movable towards and from the axis of saidspindles, means for driving said rollers, and means for moving said levers about their pivots in predetermined timed'rel'ation to the means for moving said member whereby said rollers are moved towards and from the axis of said spindles.

HARRY W. RUPPLE. 

